Radiation therapy is a common and effective form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, making it impossible for them to grow and divide. While healthy cells can also be affected, they are typically better at repairing themselves than cancer cells.
Types of Radiation Therapy
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
- Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
- Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
When and Why Radiation Therapy is Used
- Curative treatment: To eliminate cancer entirely, often in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
- Adjuvant therapy: Given after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
- Neoadjuvant therapy: Administered before surgery to shrink tumors for easier removal.
- Palliative treatment: Used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life when a cure isn’t possible, such as easing pain from bone metastases.
Side Effects
Side effects vary depending on the area being treated and the dose. Common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Skin irritation
- Hair loss (in treated areas)
- Difficulty swallowing (for head or chest radiation)
- Diarrhea (for abdominal radiation)
Most side effects are temporary and manageable, and the care team works closely with patients to minimize discomfort.
Radiation therapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments and plays a key role in curing some cancers, controlling tumor growth, and improving patient well-being. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual, taking into account the type, location, and stage of cancer, as well as overall health and goals of care.